HATEM BEN ARFA today dedicated his first goal of the season to the Geordie public – and then insisted: “There is much more where that came from.”

HATEM BEN ARFA today dedicated his first goal of the season to the Geordie public – and then insisted: “There is much more where that came from.”

The French playmaker hit the jackpot at the Reebok Stadium after netting his first goal since his wonder strike at Goodison Park 14 months ago before injury disrupted his Toon career.

The 4,000-strong Toon faithful had chanted Ben Arfa’s name before he came off the bench to help shape the victory at the Reebok, yet he was determined to get out the message to his fans that there is more in his locker.

Ben Arfa – who has suffered a double leg break and a shattering ankle injury since arriving from Marseille – told the Chronicle: “I want to make something clear. I am nearly 100% fit and if I play then I will show more to the fans – and more to the club.

“I heard the fans singing my name before I came on. It feels really good.

“The game at Bolton was very nice for me and I am so happy to see us pick up three important points.

“Everything the team did at Bolton was brilliant.”

Ben Arfa converted Ryan Taylor’s left-wing cross just minutes after replacing Leon Best, and he was keen to dedicate the strike to the loyal United support.

He added: “I was very happy to see the ball hit the back of the net. The main thing for me was to see the fans reacting behind the goal.

“That was the most pleasing thing – it was a goal not just for me but them also.

“It was really comforting to see the fans applauding me at the end too.”

Ben Arfa joked the strike was his belated Christmas present to the fans who had kept faith in him throughout his injury and rehabilitation.

The French talisman said: “It was the perfect occasion to score and get my first goal of the season.

“I was surprised to see so many fans come all the way to Bolton for this game.”

Ben Arfa has been a man of few words, but wants to pick up where he left off at Bolton when the Magpies visit Anfield on Friday night.

Even after being informed that Newcastle’s woeful record at Liverpool in the Premier League stretches back to 1994, Ben Arfa said: “We feel we can travel there and get three points again. It is very possible.

“After taking three points at Bolton we can optimise our performance.”